US 7,207,471 B2Granted

Electrosurgical stapling apparatus

AssigneeTyco Healthcare Group LP

InventorsRussell Heinrich, Frank J. Viola

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An electrosurgical stapling apparatus is provided which uses thermogenic energy as well as surgical fasteners or staples for strengthening tissue, providing hemostasis, tissue joining or welding. The thermogenic energy also strengthens tissue in proximity to a staple line and knife cut line and provides hemostasis along the staple and cut lines formed by the staples and a knife blade during surgical stapling. The use thermogenic energy provides short-term hemostasis and sealing, and reduces or prevents staple line and cut line bleeding, while the stapling features provide short and long-term tissue strength and hemostasis. The stapling apparatus further substantially reduces or prevents knife cut line bleeding by energizing a knife blade for cauterizing tissue while it is being cut. In one embodiment, energy is applied to the anvil to energize the staples as they make contact with the anvil.

Claims10

Dependent claims

In a surgical stapler including a first body portion defining a surface against which a plurality of surgical staples are driven when ejected from a second body portion by an actuation member mounted to translate through the second body portion, the second body portion housing the plurality of surgical staples, the improvement comprising:

an insulation material coating at least a portion of the surface of the first body portion;
means for energizing the surface of the first body portion by applying thermogenic energy to the surface;
and
at least one member housed by the second body portion and moveable therein for ejecting the plurality of surgical staples and sequentially applying thermogenic energy to the plurality of surgical staples for providing hemostasis along at least one staple line during surgical stapling, wherein the insulation material is configured for being scratched off by the plurality of surgical staples when the plurality of surgical staples are driven against the first body portion during surgical stapling, and wherein the plurality of surgical staples contact the energized and scratched-off surface of the first body portion.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/513,435Filed 9 May 2003 · us provisional application
Priority: 10 May 2002
Published: US 2005/0159778 A121 Jul 2005
Granted: 24 Apr 2007
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

A61B 17/07207
For applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously: the staples being applied sequentially
A61B 17/072
Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied…
A61B 18/1445
Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps: at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
A61B 2017/00853
Material properties: low friction, hydrophobic and corrosion-resistant fluorocarbon resin coating